Movie Reviews: 'Blue Beetle' Charms While 'Adults' Resonates

HOLLYWOOD, CA — This weekend, a new superhero arrives at theaters, and an indie dramedy also debuts on the big screen, featuring a trio of estranged siblings.

Have you heard of the DC superhero Blue Beetle? If not, fear not! This movie shines a light on his origin story. Xolo Maridueña plays Jaime Reyes, a recent college grad who acquires super-power abilities when he becomes the symbiotic host of an alien relic known as the Scarab, which is widely coveted for evil purposes.

For fans looking for a change of pace from the world of superheroes, there is "The Adults," a dramedy in which Michael Cera, Hannah Gross and Sophia Lillis play a trio of siblings trapped in an emotional flux as their past and present collide.

Check out what we thought of the two films below.

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“Blue Beetle”

Xolo Maridueña, Bruna Marquezine, Becky G; directed by Angel Manuel Soto

With the dismal performances of “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” “The Flash” and “The Antman” threequel at the box office, it appears that superhero movies might be in a state of torpor. However, Warner Bros. might just have found the right recipe to neutralize superhero fatigue.

Enter “Blue Beetle,” the studio's first Latino-led superhero film infused with the warmth of Latin culture. Xolo Maridueña stars as the eponymous superhero, also known as pre-law grad Jaime Reyes. His Mexican American migrant family include his wonderful mother, Roicio (Elpidia Carrillo), his awesome father Alberto (Damián Alcázar), his opinionated sister Milagro (Belissa Escobedo), his feisty grandmother Nana (Adriana Barraza) and his ever-unpredictable uncle Rudy (George Lopez).

Jaime is feeling ecstatic as the first member of his family to have a college degree. However, upon his return home, his excitement quickly turns to despair as he learns that they are on the brink of losing their home because of unpaid rent. Despite it all, the young man is determined to do everything he can to help his family.

Luckily, Jenny, niece of the Kord Industries' chairwoman (Susan Sarandon), has already promised to find him a job at her aunt’s conglomerate. But first, he must help her keep a blue scarab, which he is not supposed to open under any circumstance. Unfortunately, it gets opened, and the young man becomes curious.

Jaime takes the bug out of its box, and the otherworldly entity chooses him as a host, turning Jaime into a superhero replete with a superhero-suit and super-power abilities.

And so begins the first adventure of Blue Beetle.

See it.

“Blue Beetle” brims with fun, laughter and wholesome entertainment for the entire family. It never wears out its welcome.

“The Adults”

Michael Cera, Hannah Gross, Sophia Lillis; directed by Dustin Guy Defa

At the core, writer-director Dustin Guy Defa’s latest indie film is about a trio of siblings trapped in an emotional flux ensconced in the memories and unrealized ambitions of their youth to become successful musical performers. It is a story of soul-searching and longing.

Now as adults, all three — Eric (Michael Cera), his elder sister Rachel (Hannah Gross) and his younger sister Maggie (Sophia Lillis) — will finally face their thwarted dreams and family resentments that have defined their relationships over the years.

In the end, what emerges is a family reunion on the precipice of upheaval, replete with songs and dances in a family that communicates with music. The trio might not be friends, but at least, they can all find comfort and solace in musicals.

See it.

“The Adults” is a tale of estrangement told with a refreshingly roguish sensitivity, further elevated by the leads’ magnificent performances. Surely, it will captivate fans of indie dramedies.